Press release: New chair appointed for tax profession’s disciplinary body

Susan Humble takes up her new role from 17 February. She succeeds Des Hudson, who has retired. Susan was previously Chief Executive Officer and The Clerk of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.

Susan Humble said:

“I am delighted to be appointed as the Chair of the TDB. The taxation profession is a key part of the professional economy and it is clear to me that ATT and CIOT members already operate to very high professional standards. I am looking forward to playing a part in ensuring that all those dealing with the bodies’ members can have confidence those standards are maintained.”

Helen Whiteman, Chief Executive of the CIOT, speaking on behalf of the TDB’s sponsoring bodies, said:

“The ATT and CIOT see it as vital that we can demonstrate that our members operate to the highest professional standards, so maintaining the trust of the public and the tax authorities. The TDB is a key component of this, and we are delighted to have secured Susan’s services. Her experience as a practitioner and with the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal will be very valuable in ensuring that the TDB continues to be an efficient and effective regulator.”

The TDB is currently consulting on its Sanctions policy, particularly in relation to the requirements of Anti Money Laundering (AML) rules and regulations.

Susan Humble added:

“The current consultation is evidence of the pressures money laundering regulations are adding to professional work and the proactive way the TDB is responding. I want to ensure that the TDB continues to develop as the ideal regulatory body for the taxation profession.”

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Notes for editors

1. The Taxation Disciplinary Board (‘TDB’) is an independent body established in 2008 by the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) to manage the disciplinary scheme relating to the bodies’ members. Its aims are that it

• Operates a fair system acting in the public interest;
• Supports and maintains the high professional standards of the ATT and CIOT; and
• Handles complaints quickly, impartially and effectively

2. The TDB is funded jointly by ATT and CIOT but operates on a strictly independent basis, to ensure that complaints and any disciplinary matters against ATT and CIOT are handled totally impartially. Details of its operations can be found on its website where decisions are also published.

3. Susan Humble qualified as a solicitor after studying law at Bristol University. She has been a partner in a large regional law firm in Bristol and a niche insurance litigation practice in London. On leaving private practice Susan became involved in regulatory and governance matters at Sport Resolutions (UK). Susan was the Chief Executive Officer and The Clerk of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal from 2010-2018; subsequently she has worked on projects with the Bar Standards Board and CaseLines and is currently a lay panellist of the Teaching Regulatory Authority.

4. The TDB’s consultation on its sanctions policy. The consultation closes 31 March 2020.

5. A higher resolution version of the photograph of Susan Humble is available on request.